German Foreign Minister Heiko Maas on Tuesday called for the immediate release of Kremlin critic Alexei Navalny, saying a court verdict against him was "a bitter blow" to rule of law in Russia. "Today's verdict against Alexei Navalny is a bitter blow against fundamental freedoms & the rule of law in Russia," Maas tweeted. "Navalny must be released immediately." Also on Twitter, German Defence Minister Annegret Kramp-Karrenbauer wrote: "First they poison Navalny and then throw him in jail because he fails to comply with parole conditions while in a coma? Pure cynicism." She added the hashtag: #FreeNavalny. mfp/pvh